The Kwalikum Kondors Grade 9 boys basketball team got to experience what it is like to compete at the provincial champonships.
The Kondors were given a chance to play at the 2018 Grade 9 Provincial Basketball Championships held at Heritage Woods Secondary in Port Moody after the second-place finisher at the Vancouver Islands declined to go.
The Kondors had a good outing at the Vancouver Islands placing third overall. But only the top two get to go to the provincials. They had a good run having beaten Royal Bay 42-38 and Shawnigan 69-34 to advance to the semi-final round. They faced the eventual champions Belmont Bulldogs and lost, 57-43.
In the game for third and fourth place, the Kondors beat Vanier Towhees 62-42. When the Oak Bay Bays, who finished second, indicated they were not going to the provincials, their spot was offered to the Kondors, who readily accepted the offer.
At the 22nd annual Grade 9 provincials, the Kondors, who were seeded 19th in the 20 team tournament, played their best but were outmatched by the top schools in the province. They lost to Churchhill 68-32, GW Graham 67-37 and Dawson Creek 71-56.
— NEWS Staff